Duke University Medical Center and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill recently teamed up for one of the largest randomized trial to date, to study how the treatment of gum disease during pregnancy would effect the apparent link between preterm birth and the disease. The results of the study, involving 1,800 pregnant women with periodontal disease, show that periodontal treatment did not decrease the risk of preterm birth or stop the progression of the disease.
Amy Murtha, MD, director of obstetrics research at Duke University Medical Center in Durham, NC, is clear, however, on the fact that "Our study emphasizes that treating periodontal disease during pregnancy is safe, but that standard periodontal care is not enough," as issued in a press release from Dukehealth.org, adding "Periodontal disease and poor pregnancy outcomes travel together, but we don't know why."
Many women make healthy changes to their lifestyle before becoming pregnant in order to have an uncomplicated pregnancy and ultimately a healthy baby. You may want to consider the state of your oral health and treat gum disease before becoming pregnant. Book an appointment with your dentist for a check-up and cleaning, and discuss any concerns you may have regarding your oral health before pregnancy.
Recently they’ve found cases of oral bacteria infecting the placenta.
Gum disease is like having a nasty infected 3 inch long splinter in your arm. Except that people don’t take it seriously – mainly because it doesn’t hurt.
Joe Bulger DDS
Visit my dental blog – Toronto Dentist Smile Blog
Shawn, I advise pregnant women to come more often for hygiene visits and to pay close attention to their homecare routines.
The fun appointment is the first one after the baby is born. We get to see the little bundle of joy and that exhausted look in mom’s eyes!
Joe D